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1 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Public Information Session June 28, 2022 ---PAGE BREAK--- GOALS OF INFORMATION SESSION ---PAGE BREAK--- INFORMATION SESSION GOALS • ARPA Background & Recap • Initiatives – underway, and in-development • Discussion & Q&A ---PAGE BREAK--- BACKGROUND & RECAP ---PAGE BREAK--- ARPA BACKGROUND • The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law March 2021 • ARPA Created the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund • $350 billion for state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID- 19 Pandemic ---PAGE BREAK--- ARPA BACKGROUND • Funds distributed to municipalities in two tranches • Salem will receive a total of $35 million o$27 million from direct allocation to cities and towns o$8 million from allocation to counties • Funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026 ---PAGE BREAK--- ALLOWED SPENDING CATEGORIES & USES • Public health o Directly related to pandemic o To build resiliency against future pandemics • Negative economic impacts o Household assistance (food, rent, eviction protection) o Unemployment benefits and job training o General small business assistance • Services to disproportionately impacted communities o Education assistance o Childcare o Social determinants of health • Premium pay for certain frontline workers • Infrastructure o Clean water o Drinking water o Broadband • Revenue replacement • Administrative o New staff o Data collection and analysis o Auditing and reporting ---PAGE BREAK--- DISALLOWED SPENDING CATEGORIES AND USES • Deposits into pension funds • Matching funds for Federally-funded projects • Tax relief ---PAGE BREAK--- STAKEHOLDER & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS 9 Completed: • August, 2021: Public survey • August / October, 2021:Stakeholder meetings • September / November, 2021: Public feedback sessions • February, 2022: Report and Action Plan developed • March, 2022: Presentation to City Department Heads • April, 2022: Update/Progress Meeting w/ stakeholders Upcoming: • June 28, 2022: ARPA Public Feedback Session and Progress Report (via zoom & in-person) ---PAGE BREAK--- RECOVERY PRINCIPLES Salem’s pandemic recovery... will focus on providing services and assistance to those that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. will build resiliency for future pandemics and be financially sustainable. will enhance or complement state and federal programs, and use recovery funds in creative ways to address local challenges. will be flexible and transparent, with regular reviews to determine if needs have changed: • Reports submitted to the U.S. Treasury Department will be posted publicly. • Public forums in June and December each year of the recovery program with programmatic updates. • Review and update the Recovery Principles document annually. • Recovery website with all reports and plans easily accessible in both English and Spanish. ---PAGE BREAK--- RECOVERY STRATEGY – READY TO RESPOND 1 1 • Continued vigilance and readiness to respond to the evolving nature of the pandemic. • Continued investments in COVID testing • Continued resources to get more residents vaccinated • Resources to strengthen and sustain our public health response to confront the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic. • Public health-responsive investments in infrastructure in critical public buildings. ---PAGE BREAK--- RECOVERY STRATEGY – ELASTIC AND EQUITABLE RECOVERY 1 2 • Building on previous work to support local small businesses, including a dedicated business grant program designed to encourage employee hiring and retention for Salem’s small businesses. • Direct grant support for tourism and hospitality initiatives and programs, including key events and festivals. • Grant program to support overall wellness programs in Salem and that will support local fitness and wellness providers. • Other, targeted initiatives that will support recovery from the economic impacts from the pandemic and other impacts from the City’s response. • • Expanding and strengthening food security and access efforts, especially for disproportionately impacted and lower income populations. • Measures to bolster mental health supports and programs, particularly those responding to direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable residents. ---PAGE BREAK--- RECOVERY STRATEGY – TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGES FOR SALEM’S FUTURE 1 3 Housing initiatives, including but not limited to: o Housing and neighborhood stability programs o Down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers o Housing rehabilitation and upgrading high speed internet options o Landlord education and tenant’s rights programs o Program for funding construction of affordable housing, including ADUs Sustainability initiatives, including but not limited to: o Energy efficiency and renewable energy projects o Climate crisis mitigation and action measures o Projects that reduce the City’s overall climate impact and carbon footprint o Expansion and maintenance of the City’s urban tree canopy o Improvement to green and open spaces in our community Mobility initiatives, including but not limited to: o Support for the South Salem commuter rail station project o Investments in the City’s off-street paths network o Micro-mobility initiatives and programs o Salem Skipper ride-share and other programs designed to reduce reliance on single passenger vehicles ---PAGE BREAK--- PHASE 1 PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES - HOUSING 1 4 ADU Support Grant Program – Spring 2022 Program will provide grant funding for homeowners for the development, permitting, and construction of accessory dwelling units in the City of Salem, a key component of our affordable housing strategy. Planned Investment: $1,000,000 Housing Stability Resources - Underway Already underway utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, program provides legal support for housing related issues. Funds will be available to provide for the continuation, expansion, or augmentation of the program. Planned Investment: TBD Investment in the Salem Affordable Housing Trust – Spring 2022 Substantial investment into the Trust for the creation, preservation, and development of affordable housing in the City. Planned Investment: $1,000,000 ---PAGE BREAK--- INITIATIVES ---PAGE BREAK--- 16 ---PAGE BREAK--- 17 ---PAGE BREAK--- PHASE 1 PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES – SUSTAINABILITY, OPEN SPACE & FOOD SECURITY 1 8 Expansion and maintenance of the City’s urban tree canopy – Spring/Summer ‘22 City match to extend impact of state earmarked funding. Planned Investment: 1:1 $200,000 match to state earmark. Improvement to green and open spaces in our community – currently underway Significant investment in open space, park, and recreational resources in the City. Planned Investment: Will vary by project. Investment in Mack Park – Spring/Summer ‘22 Investments into improvements at Mack Park, a critical part of the City’s food security strategy. Planned Investment: ~$100,000 Kitchen Improvements at Community Life Center – Spring/Summer ‘22 Renovation of kitchen facilities and appliances at CLC in order to provide for on-site preparation of food programs and programming. Planned Investment: $140,000 In partnership with Root NS, expansion of successful “Meet & Eat” programs throughout Salem, targeting additional locations. Planned Investment: $28,000 ---PAGE BREAK--- PHASE 1 PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES - MOBILITY 1 9 Support for the South Salem Commuter Rail Station Project Funding supports the City’s match for the cost of the conceptual design for the project – an important first step toward making the project a reality. Planned Investment: $93,000.00 Blue Bikes Investment Purchase and operating costs of 7 stations and 44 bikes, placed strategically throughout the City. Planned Investment: $363,786.88 Salem Skipper Support for existing operation of the Salem Sipper mobility service. Planned Investment: $400,000.00 ---PAGE BREAK--- PHASE 1 PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2 0 Employee Retention Program – Completed Program to encourage the hiring and retention of employees in businesses affected by the (now expired) vaccine mandate. Program was utilized by 48 businesses to help retain 853 employees. Total Investment: $458,515.25 Outdoor Dining Program – Underway Continuation of successful program; new improvements are planned for the Washington St. area to support outdoor dining this year and for years to come. Planned Investment: $305,000 (Washington St. Improvements and ADA Improvement Grant Program) Festival and Special Event Support Program – Spring/Summer ‘22 Program designed to provide support for various festivals and special events taking place in the City in the Spring and Summer of 2022 in order to stimulate and drive economic activity. Planned Investment: $150,000 In partnership with Root NS, support for hospitality workforce development to support Salem’s hospitality industry in advance of the peak tourist season. Planned Investment: $63,100 ---PAGE BREAK--- PHASE 1 PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES – CAPITAL (FY2023) 2 1 • Washington St. Outdoor Dining: $270,000 • Ocean Ave. Stormwater Pump Station: $370,000 • Mack Park Community Food Farm: $94,105 • Willows Pier Improvements: $350,000 • Pioneer Village Relocation and Expansion: $620,000 • City Wide Playground/Park Projects $100,000 • CLC Kitchen Improvements $140,000 • Bike Infrastructure Improvements: $50,000 • Palmer Cove Renovation Phase 2: $140,000 • Charlotte Forten Memorial Project: $50,000 (match) • South Station Commuter Rail Study: $93,000 (match) • Police/Fire Radio Communications: $2,500,000 • Greenlawn Cemetery Ongoing Roadway and Drainage: $75,000 Total: $5,852,105 ---PAGE BREAK--- PHASE 1 PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES – OTHER 2 2 Child Care Workforce Development – Under Development Need was identified that support is badly needed for the child care industry, especially in the area of workforce development. Programs are currently under discussion to support these efforts and provide resources necessary to this critical industry. Digital Equity – Currently Underway Investments are being targeted to provide digital access and connectivity for those that need it most. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Under Development/Committed Working with the recently hired Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, targeting of dedicated funds to support this important mission. Mental Health Support Additional projects, programs, and investments to achieve the vision and strategic goals set forth. ---PAGE BREAK--- DISCUSSION / Q&A ---PAGE BREAK--- REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK 2 4 What has been your experience emerging from the pandemic? What obstacles, barriers, or challenges have you experienced as part of the pandemic recovery process?